Mandate, Mission,
Organizational Values

Mandate

The Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal is an independent quasi-judicial agency established to determine appeals of Ministry decisions under section 17(3) of the Employment and Assistance Act, section 16(3) of the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act, and section 14 of the Early Learning and Child Care Act as follows:

• A decision that results in a refusal to provide income assistance, disability assistance, hardship assistance or a supplement to or for someone in the person’s family unit;
• A decision that results in a discontinuance of income assistance, disability assistance or a supplement provided to or for someone in the person’s family unit;
• A decision that results in a reduction of income assistance, disability assistance or a supplement provided to or for someone in the person’s family unit;
• A decision in respect of the amount of a supplement provided to or for someone in the person’s family unit if that amount is less than the lesser of the maximum amount of the supplement under the regulations, and the cost of the least expensive and appropriate manner of providing the supplement;
• A decision that results in a refusal to pay a child care benefit to or for the person;
• A decision that results in a discontinuance or reduction of a child care benefit paid to or for the person; and
• A decision made about the overpayment of a child care benefit (but not the amount of the overpayment).

Section 20(1) of the Employment and Assistance Act gives the Tribunal Chair the responsibility for the general administration and management of the Tribunal. Section 20(2) of the Employment and Assistance Act also gives the Tribunal Chair the authority to establish practices and procedures for the Tribunal and to make recommendations to the Minister for the appointment of Tribunal members.

Mission

The mission of the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal is to provide an independent and accessible appeal process that delivers timely and fair decisions reviewing Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction determinations in regard to income and disability assistance and Ministry of Education and Child Care determinations in regard to child care benefits.

Organizational Values

In carrying out its mission, the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal is guided by the following values:

Fairness

Efficiency

Accountability

Impartiality

Timeliness

Transparency

Excellence

Accessibility

Independence

Our Vision

The Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal will be known for:

• Providing an independent, ethical, community-based appeal process which is accessible and conducted in a fair, timely and respectful manner.
• Supporting members to provide quality service to promote public confidence in the integrity and competency of the Tribunal.
• Creating a healthy work environment that supports staff to provide quality service and to continually learn and develop knowledge, skills and expertise.